In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease, and since then it has become an invaluable resource to people worldwide who seek information about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet.
In 1998 I created The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore! which was also another Internet first—it was the first gluten-free food site to offer a shopping cart-style interface, and the ability for people to order gluten-free products manufactured by many different companies at a single Web site.
I am also co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of Journal of Gluten Sensitivity.
The following was received on March 5, 1998 from Kathryn K. Harden, Ph.D., k-harden@UIUC.EDU, Assistant Editor, The Journal of Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
The latest issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition contains two articles concerning celiac disease. It is encouraging to see research papers concerning celiac disease in important basic research and clinical journals. The citations are:
- Reversal of low bone density with a gluten-free diet in children and adolescents with celiac disease. S. Mora, G. Barera, A. Ricotti, G. Weber, C. Bianchi and G. Chiumello. AJCN 67: 477-481, 1998. The authors conclude that in children and adolescents with low bone mineral density (BMD) due to celiac disease, a gluten free diet promotes a rapid increase of BMD that leads to a complete recovery of bone mineralization. Due to the severe consequences of low BMD, the authors emphasize the need for early diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease.
- Nutritional status of newly diagnosed celiac disease patients before and after the institution of a celiac disease diet - association with the grade of mucosal villous atrophy. T Kemppainen, V-M Kosma, E Janatuinen, R Julkunen, P Pikkarainen, M Uusitupa. AJCN 67: 482-487, 1998. Authors found that celiac disease patients with 3 levels of intestinal villous atrophy (partial, subtotal, total) did not differ in the nutritional status variables measured except erythrocyte folate and serum ferritin concentrations.
The following was received from J.C. Trevett JCTrevett@aol.com on September 28, 1998:
Two articles I would like to add to your list if you dont already have info.
- Journal of Pediatrics, August 1998 article entitled, Celiac disease: A Reappraisal, by David Branski, MD and Ricardo Troncone, MD. Dr. Branski is Dept. of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, P. O. Box 3235, Jerusalem, Israel. It is a good five page article referring to the tip of the iceberg again - at least all the experts are in agreement all over the world that we are not diagnosing enough celiac disease. This is a good article - there is some technical stuff about the DB MOLECULE, which I will never understand, but I gave a copy to my gastroenterologist and he seemed to appreciate it.
- Tufts University, Medford, MA, Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter - September, 1998 - Volume 16, Number 7. Good article for average layperson on Coping with Celiac Disease - mentions CSA/USA, Inc. and its many (80) support groups throughout the country. Also mentions Gluten Intolerance Group, Energy Foods and Dietary Specialties. To quote part of the article: In one survey, 43 percent of those with the condition said that theyd been diagnosed with an assortment of ailments - such as anemia, stress, ulcers, and nerves before finding out that celiac disease was responsible for the symptoms.